Neurophysiology and Synapses · USMLE Step 1

Temporal summation at a postsynaptic neuron refers to which of the following?

Combination of EPSPs from different presynaptic neurons at the same time
Successive EPSPs from the same synapse adding up before previous ones decay
Simultaneous arrival of inhibitory and excitatory inputs
Generation of action potential after one large EPSP

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Correct answer: Successive EPSPs from the same synapse adding up before previous ones decay

Temporal summation occurs when successive postsynaptic potentials from the same synapse arrive in quick succession, adding together because they overlap before the earlier potentials decay.

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